Plastics Europe recently published its biennial report: ‘The Circular Economy for Plastics: A European Analysis’. It provides the latest (2024) data and insights into Europe’s circular plastics transition, including trends in circular plastics production, conversion, consumption, and trade, as well as data on waste management.

Key findings:

Europe’s transition to a circular plastics economy has slowed significantly, raising concerns about competitiveness, climate goals, and resource independence. In 2024, circular plastics accounted for 15.8% (8.7 million tonnes) of total plastics production, but annual growth in circular production fell sharply from 13.6% in 2022 to 1.2% in 2024. Demand for circular plastics also weakened, with growth dropping from 16.2% to 4% over the same period.

Although the recycling rate increased to 29.6% (*), more than 70% of collected plastic waste continues to be landfilled or incinerated. Europe also remains dependent on imports, with 19% of circular plastics demand and 25% of fossil-based plastics demand supplied from abroad.

Plastics Europe warns that high energy costs, emissions costs, and global competition are limiting investment in circularity and threatening Europe’s industrial competitiveness. The organization calls for stronger EU policies, fair trade conditions, lower energy costs, and measures to stimulate demand for circular plastics. It argues that building a strong circular plastics economy is essential not only for environmental goals but also for Europe’s economic resilience and strategic autonomy.

IBE-BVI members can obtain by simple request the full report : click here

(*) Belgium remains a European leader in plastics recycling. The country achieves the highest recycling rates for plastic packaging (61%) and construction materials (29%), and recycles a total of 41% of all plastic waste, well above the European average of 29.6%. The volume of recycled plastics has almost doubled over the past ten years.